A renewed policy thrust on climate-resilient agriculture in the Northeast gathered momentum on Sunday as the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare reviewed five decades of research and field outreach by the ICAR Research Complex for North Eastern Hill Region in Umiam, with a strong emphasis on leveraging technology, sustainability and region-specific solutions.
The review underscored the urgent need to bridge the last-mile gap between scientific innovation and farm-level adoption, with ICAR Director, ATARI Zone-VI, Assam, stressing the need to develop AI-based systems in local languages to effectively address the needs of farmers, particularly by providing timely, accessible, and region-specific advisories.
Addressing the gathering, Bhagirath Choudhary, Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India, appreciated the commendable efforts of the institute in advancing agricultural research and development. He highlighted the importance of promoting natural farming and urged farmers to reduce dependency on chemical fertilizers, noting that significant economic burden is posed by fertilizer imports. Stressing on the need to address emerging challenges posed by climate change, he called for stronger collaboration between scientists and farmers for the development and adoption of climate-resilient crops and innovative technologies. The Minister underscored several flagship government initiatives aimed at strengthening the agricultural sector, including “Per Drop More Crop” for efficient water use and “Vocal for Local” to promote self-reliance and boost indigenous agricultural products. He also stressed the urgent need to improve cold storage facilities and post-harvest infrastructures in the region to minimize losses and enhance farmers’ income. He encouraged the farmers to make effective use of Soil Health Cards for balanced nutrient management and improved productivity. Choudhary further informed the gathering about a recent government initiative to support farmers in marketing produce such as potato, onion and tomato across the country, with transportation costs being borne by the government, thereby facilitating better market access and remunerative prices for farmers.
In his welcome address, Dr. Sandeep Ghatak, Director, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, highlighted the institution’s remarkable 50 years of journey and its impactful contributions across the North Eastern States. He noted that despite early challenges such as shifting cultivation, land degradation, acidic soils, and post-harvest losses, the institute has made significant strides, including a 75% reduction in jhum cultivation, development of over 50 Integrated Farming System models, promotion of natural resource management techniques, and creation of farmer-friendly tools, digital applications etc. Dr. Ghatak reiterated the institute’s continued commitment to advancing sustainable agriculture and supporting the livelihoods of farmers in the North East through science-driven innovations and collaborative efforts.
In his address, Dr. A.K. Mohanty, Director, ATARI Zone-VII, Umiam, highlighted the significant activities and achievements of the Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) across different regions of the North East in supporting the farming community. He elaborated on the initiatives undertaken by KVKs to promote agricultural development, technology dissemination, and farmer empowerment in the region. Dr. Mohanty also informed about the ongoing efforts to upgrade all KVKs with the latest technologies, modern infrastructure, and improved facilities to enhance their capacity and effectiveness. Dr. G. Kadirvel, Director, ATARI Zone-VI, Assam, emphasized the need to develop AI-based systems in local languages to effectively address the needs of farmers, particularly by providing timely, accessible, and region-specific advisories.
The Union Minister also distributed various agricultural inputs to the farmers like conoweeder, sprayers, water pumps etc., reinforcing the Centre’s focus on strengthening grassroots-level agricultural capacity alongside policy and research interventions.
